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Elk horn succulent

About Elk horn succulent

Plants in the Kalanchoe genus are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. They range from rubbery green leaves, to leopard print, and some are even fuzzy! The word Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese name for these plants, pronounced Ka-lun-koh-ee in English. Their succulent leaves help store water during droughts, so they'll be just fine if you skip a watering or two (it happens!).

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Kalanchoe 'Medusa'

Genus

Kalanchoe

Family

Crassulaceae

Order

Saxifragales

How to care for Elk horn succulent

💦 Water

How often to water your Elk horn succulent

Elk horn succulent needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Elk horn succulent in your home

Elk horn succulent love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Elk horn succulent does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Elk horn succulent in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Elk horn succulent

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Elk horn succulent: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Elk horn succulent after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Kalanchoe

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Elk horn succulent thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Elk horn succulent requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

💨 Humidity

Elk horn succulent prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

🪴 Soil

Elk horn succulent is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Elk horn succulent should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Elk horn succulent to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Elk horn succulent is native to Madagascar and Tropical Africa.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.